Sunday 23 June 2013

FOR THE LOVE OF A DOG | MAN'S BEST FRIEND

THE VALUE OF OUR DOGS




I watched a documentary on TV  earlier this week which illustrated the value of using rescue dogs in a  training programme by inmates of a low security prison in Australia.  Watching it actually brought tears to my eyes.  These inmates are not repeat-offenders and being in a low security lock-up, have have been given this wonderful challenge.  

These adorable dogs bring with them the gift of companionship, purpose and unconditional love.. very lacking in a prison environment.  The relationships that develop between the inmates and their dogs,  allow so many of them to 'feel' again, also resulting in them being able to re-connect with family and loved-ones in a deeper way after their release.  




Some programmes work with local animal shelters, selecting homeless dogs which might be good candidates for becoming service dogs for people with disabilities.  They also provide educational grooming facilities for inmates, enabling them to find a job in the pet industry after release.  The double benefit of these programs is inestimable.

I did a bit of reading on the subject, and was  amazed to discover just how extensive the use of dogs in prisons has become, world-wide. I watched a video which was aired on the Oprah Show, of fairly hard-core prisoners training puppies to aid wounded soldiers.  Have a look here and you will need a tissue or two!

As a family,  we have always had dogs.  Our first dog was "Chomper".. a Beagle who was with us for years.  He died on the day we sealed the container for our move to the UK.  Chomper was going to live with Mr R-I's brother.  On that day, he accompanied us to the park with the children for our last visit, when he was knocked down and killed by a service vehicle driving through the park...It was the saddest day.  

When we moved to Australia 8 years ago  we were all kind of discombobulated!  After some nagging by our youngest daughter,  we brought Lola home with us.  She was a cross Shih Tzu/Maltese.  That little dog brought untold joy to us all and helped us settle and feel like we were 'home'  again.  We were desperately sad when she was run-over accidentally by a lady on her cell-phone 4 years ago. 


Lola


We have since acquired "The Girls" - two Shih Tzus.  These girls are our constant companions and bring such laughter and joy into our lives.   





This madam is Penny Lane



Bunny on the left and Penny



Studies have shown that in the elderly,  those that own pets, are less likely to visit the doctor and are therefore less likely to be on medication.  This can be attributed to the benefit of exercise during  daily walks as well as the companionship and happiness that owning a dog can provide.  Taking care of a dog gives old people a goal and an every day purpose in life.




The category of 'working dogs'  is extensive.  They have proved to be invaluable in working with the disabled, with the blind, and are even being used to help children with reading problems.  They also provide 'therapy' for the old and mentally handicapped.





Dogs herd and hunt,  guard and search.  The friendly Beagle in the Customs  is an expert at sniffing unwelcome 'imports' from arriving passengers.  They are also trained to detect bombs during warfare, and work extensively in the military.  Dogs are invaluable to the police.  They assist in general law enforcement often helping to detain suspects and are trained to detect drugs and explosives etc.













But mostly,  dogs are here for us all to love.  To give us companionship, amusement and above all,  unconditional love.  What would this world be without them... 

              













Couldn't post this without Hugo... Claire's new little pup!

16 comments:

  1. This is such a wonderful post, and I couldn't agree more!! The other day in a meeting at the Old Parsonage hotel I could hear one in distress outside. I ran out to see if it was OK. I thought long and hard after that about how much they know how to communicate their feelings, and how attached they can become to humans. I find it very hard to understand people who don't like dogs myself.... !!

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    1. Thanks Liora... I think here is still a great deal to learn about the relationship between humans and their dogs!

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  2. Great post Jen. This subject obviously lies close to my heart. Thanks xx

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    1. Thanks so much Anne!... and how is the lovely Pippa? xx

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  3. What an utterly charming post! I love that idea of the Percival program for prisoners. It is funny how the love of a dog just does something to the spirit. A wag of a tail can lift a mood like nothing else. I do want a dog but I am still scared of the responsibility. But one day I think I might get a few dogs...love shihtzus as you know...Penny looks soooo naughty! Am I right? Great article Jenny xx

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    1. Thanks very much Naomi - it was storming here last night - lots of thunder and lightening - I had both my girls literally trying to lie beneath me ... they were shaking with fear! Penny is the naughty one ... she has attitude - Bunny is very sweet and devoted... I could go on!! xx

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  4. I'm not really a dog person but my mother is DEVOTED to her dalmatian who is incredibly spoilt and pampered. Seriously, you've never seen an animal so indulged.

    Barbara Walters said at her end of her autobiography Audition that no matter who you are you need to love someone- a person a dog, a pet, whatever. So true.

    I spose when my toddler is older we'll get him a puppy. x

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    1. Thanks FF - Barbara's right of course...The process in taking care of someone/something is very worthwhile. Your little chap would love a dog... when he is old enough to participate in some of the caring perhaps? Of course, I have to say that the Shih Tzu is the perfect choice!!.... they don't loose any hair, they never smell, they are highly amusing and very gentle.! xx

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  5. Gorgeous photos of your pooches Jenny. We have a dog, but he hasn't lived with us for 3.5 years. He lives with my Dad, and I think he's not particularly wanting to come back home to us - he tends to hide when we leave in case we nab him and throw him in the car. He went from a courtyard in Melbourne to a 20 acre garden with 2 other dogs for company, and no toddlers to torture him. He's a jack russell called Scruffy. I'd like to have him home once we've finished the reno (he would escape and take himself off to the nearest cafe, as he used to in Melbourne at the moment with our poor fence line), but my Dad is very attached to him, so think it's a bit of a lost cause now. We will try again once all is completed - the children are DESPERATE for a pet. I've promised them chooks, but think we'll be getting another dog! xx

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    1. Thanks Heidi... I think pets are so good for children... especially when they are old enough to help with the care of the pet. I agree that your Dad might be sad if Scruffy leaves him and goes back to your house... Once the training situation is over, dogs are a constant delight. I much prefer small dogs as the big dogs move through a home and everything flies!. As I said to Naomi above, Shih Tzus are wonderful... really ... we have had numerous breeds over the years and would never have anything else... not that we will have time to have anything else mind you!!... Penny is about 5 and Bunny 4... they've got a few years in them yet! xx

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  6. Awww Jenni, what a lovely post :)

    Bunny and Penny Lane are gorgeous! Penny Lane indeed looks like a madam! Hahaha.

    It's very heartwarming to find out about dogs helping inmates to have some sort of life inside prison. I haven't had a dog since my childhood one passed away years ago. She was my age. My dad adopted her. Her name was Pinky 'coz she had a lovely pinkish brown tone. She had a few daughters and my favourite was Tootsie, named after tootsie roll which was a treat when I was small.

    Years later, I would find out that Pinky had a namesake--my ex-mother-in-law! Haha. I don't intend to be mean, but I thought my dog Pinky was more loveable.

    I'd love to have a dog again one day soon.

    Have a lovely week Jenni x

    Marj

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    1. Thanks Marj ... Clearly it is a subject very close to my heart. I think it's time for you to get one! Love the name Tootsie .. perhaps another Tootsie? ... have a good week too! xx

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    2. PS. I meant Jenny! :D Sorry for misspelling your name x

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    3. No problem!! Lots of people spell it this way :))

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  7. I am a complete dog person. I totally agree with everything you have written and am so glad I am not the only one that lets dogs onto lovely light coloured armchairs.... Herbie is like our third child. He is such a wonderful companion to our children too.

    Take care Jenny. I am about to catch up on your blog as have not had time to read much recently!

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    1. Love that you are a complete dog person - my two are behaving very badly at the moment however!! Have a love weekend on your farm !! xx

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